[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6108446,"mediaKeyId","2768270-0f13a9b1e286d605778ef24decafdc12","parentId",2768270,"title","Council introduced building-inspector appointment; candidate introduced and vote set for next meeting","audioSeconds",915,"startMs",5269000,"endMs",6184000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2768270-0f13a9b1e286d605778ef24decafdc12&start=5269&end=6184","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2768270-0f13a9b1e286d605778ef24decafdc12/thumbnail_5269000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6108446/Beacon/Dutchess-County/New-York/Council-introduced-building-inspector-appointment-candidate-introduced-and-vote-set-for-next-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108446-e129eee4dda9d87a81180c9173d7221d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205142&Signature=GVgw2IhzMXWvYU5WA4qHv~7NAOCAQ~xH7EmDTkpCK9fKonyV7CBp2p4zA1Fr6cOzfTTkPfy~7PcBEOljjE4EiNhYp8yXPo3JZk-YcYBAiJU-wPGslmtpnrS8mM82rIw52IgybzBp8DIC5Vx-q6Zg7vsayz069g1mYirF80RmqX5dLI4i9R~XI~pA4OgYssdI5q7ptiph3~onO6hlNV4CLCPjs4SHhrO9Dwa9I2VRQVITua9Wzck1OmnVs9XOaFzxhglpnT1qhYeDBuq1rIa2~aRGpLKICAFkxnsvHHZ--eNTQSSrx44~T4MYrUk1FD4nrKwQy~yJlStp-SjhzNl4FA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Beacon ","date","2025-02-25T00:00:00Z","article","City staff introduced Brian Murphy as the candidate for the Building Inspector 2 position created after the prior inspector departed. Councilmember Chris summarized the hiring process and said interviews were conducted from a civil-service list of eligibles; staff recommended Murphy following interviews and a vetting process that included deputy inspectors.

Murphy spoke briefly about his background: he described 13 years as building inspector and zoning administrator for the Village of Wappingers Falls, prior small-business construction experience, and responsibilities that included floodplain coordination, fire inspection and use of the city's permitting software. Councilmembers asked about digital-archiving experience and advanced energy-code training; Murphy said he had experience with permitting software and would pursue available training for stretch-energy-code topics the city enforces.

Why this matters: The building-inspector role enforces building, zoning and fire prevention codes and coordinates plan review and inspections; council members said a stable, experienced permitting official matters for code enforcement and for supporting other code updates discussed in the workshop.

Action and next steps
Council agreed to introduce Murphy and expected to vote on the appointment at the next regular meeting; staff also noted that acting staff (Corey Worthman) had been filling the department pending the hire. The council discussed but did not convene an executive session at that time; references were made to the usual practice of using executive session for personnel deliberations and to follow civil-service procedures.

Ending: Council members welcomed Murphy and asked staff to place a formal appointment on the next meeting agenda for final confirmation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Beacon City Council Meeting 2025-02-25","oneSentenceSummary","Council introduced Brian Murphy as a finalist for the building inspector 2 position; council members commended his experience and asked staff to bring a formal appointment for vote at the next council meeting.","taxTitle","Beacon, Dutchess County, New York","taxId",69898,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6108451,"Council reviews Length-of-Service award summary; staff to certify volunteer credits",195,5065000,5260000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2768270-0f13a9b1e286d605778ef24decafdc12&start=5065&end=5260","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2768270-0f13a9b1e286d605778ef24decafdc12/thumbnail_5065000.jpg","/articles/6108451/Beacon/Dutchess-County/New-York/Council-reviews-Length-of-Service-award-summary-staff-to-certify-volunteer-credits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108451-a49e2344cb71c7419b4521ef64138159/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205142&Signature=CANA3ER4kux4ADyjKc8j7B-aFqSfd5CaX5mSF650Kg0k2jcudm1Vco85ayD3f3yBwQ8ll4vYXwd4OYb7~IKoOu73fE-8hHMvoFxfJJQ4S5G2hnc9fFNIdaXD19zF4Zt7nCELGKBBlNH6OXolDUoVzyyn-f~4TFai8qk7yZnTYT2FXfts2MDA5b9HRGHyQsARabY0GOXbMoXrBLROoeyDCT9dB3G5Yd5ZG20uXRvX18iFLPdfVDnxH-y~whE4KK0jdS8KreSdruxI0QoCL4jSF3a3Mk3vu9w3iSWMSIyJ6V-dv3O~RAafKQ5nmXJfwLFNyS-Db2ezuaEqrQODqNX8TQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilors briefly reviewed the annual LOSAP report for the city's volunteer firefighters, a program that provides a small lifetime benefit to qualifying volunteers.

Chris summarized the LOSAP program and how credits are earned: each qualifying year contributes toward a defined benefit that becomes payable after age 55. Under the city's current program structure, volunteers earn an equivalent of $20 per month for life after age 55 for each eligible year recorded, up to a 20-year maximum; staff said the largest annual payment currently in the plan is about $4,800.

Why this matters: The council noted the program remains an ongoing budgeted obligation despite a reduced active volunteer roster. Staff said the city currently has 53 members on the LOSAP roster and budgeted roughly $57,000 this year to fund the program; only a handful of volunteers qualified for credits during the most recent certification period due to low active-participation counts.

Clarifying details and next steps
- Eligibility and counts: Staff reported three members earned credits this year; some members have already \"maxed out\" their service in the system. Several council members asked for clarification of terms (\"entitled\" vs. \"vested\") and for confirmation that the required paperwork and portfolio management are in place to fund current liabilities.
- Certification: Council reviewed the list and directed staff to proceed with the routine certification process required by the LOSAP program; there was no substantive policy change.

Ending: Council members acknowledged long-term budget commitments for LOSAP and the difficulty of recruiting volunteers; staff will certify credits per the regular annual schedule and continue reporting on participation levels and budget impacts.","Council reviewed the annual Length-of-Service Award Program (LOSAP) report for volunteer firefighters and discussed participation trends and budget impacts; staff will certify credits as required by program rules.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6108455,"Council agrees on narrow rezoning step for 1 East Main; broader zoning review deferred",736,4334000,5070000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2768270-0f13a9b1e286d605778ef24decafdc12&start=4334&end=5070","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2768270-0f13a9b1e286d605778ef24decafdc12/thumbnail_4334000.jpg","/articles/6108455/Beacon/Dutchess-County/New-York/Council-agrees-on-narrow-rezoning-step-for-1-East-Main-broader-zoning-review-deferred","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108455-0363c9ec5633c6866fc98021f3b8ff3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205142&Signature=Mp1rzZzeViDnYEXMaa7JeEYMe5clD~D4qoKglTvKv42rkIhJg03CI2QgIUonoVxXBJEBx6HjgfGvbZbeC4mKt5f5fAygpAT2WL2s5NfAIZQFhZdttAOlDADEmBHXkErJiKBUcb2QlJO9aQut03A-aXsgIordGw~ruOOs~zgoGcZIyLu813USAWgi7O8vE7rd~iDjkVdEl3ZznAc4T7v7ZIEVrFX2TBkP6f9r0GjEGybrKBpMrMwHjC1yLHHUAEBddlEB-Qmk5Ai4EO2KY9acdVptwVeeSQTmOg7PwwZjt3boxpwM040B1AvbAIN3dXjOCOwXR041uCSVtydgukVASQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Beacon councilors reviewed a zoning memorandum and map prepared after a building-department inquiry tied to a commercial tenant change at 1 East Main Street.

Staff described that Tracks Coffee House and a recently proposed sale raised questions about whether seating and retail uses were permitted under the property's current Light Industrial (LI) designation. Planning staff and council members discussed moving the 1 East Main parcel into the Central Main Street (CMS) district, which would align permitted uses on that parcel with adjacent properties.

Why this matters: Council members said the change would resolve an immediate compliance question raised by a pending sale and make permitted uses along that block more consistent with Main Street redevelopment and the future rail-trail corridor, while leaving more complex zoning overhaul for separate, future work.

What the council did and discussed
- Targeted rezoning: Councilmembers favored a narrow approach: extend CMS zoning to 1 East Main Street to address the current compliance and sale issues rather than rezoning a larger block at this time.
- Uses and impacts: Staff noted that microbreweries, brewpubs and similar uses are permitted in both LI and CMS in the city's use table; the immediate issue appeared to be whether the coffee business had remained below seat thresholds tied to the LI classification. Council members discussed that existing brewery and parking-lot uses likely would be permitted under either designation; the municipal parking lot on Churchill remains a permitted government use in any district.
- Outreach and process: Councilmembers were reminded that owners listed with the city assessor would receive formal notice of any rezoning; public notice and public hearing requirements would apply if a local law is introduced.

Next steps and staff direction
Council asked staff (Nick and Natalie) to prepare a draft local law that would change the zoning for the 1 East Main Street parcel to CMS and return the draft to the council. If introduced, the local law would be referred to the city and county planning boards and the public would be notified according to statutory requirements.

Ending: Members said they preferred a quick, targeted fix for the property involved in the sale and to leave broader district consolidation or use-table simplification for a later, separate process.","Council reviewed a zoning memo and map recommending rezoning parcels along East Main Street; members agreed to a targeted change for 1 East Main Street to match adjacent CMS zoning and asked staff to draft a local law.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6108459,"Beacon council explores loosening ADU rules to spur housing while keeping owner-occupancy",3875,524000,4399000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2768270-0f13a9b1e286d605778ef24decafdc12&start=524&end=4399","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2768270-0f13a9b1e286d605778ef24decafdc12/thumbnail_524000.jpg","/articles/6108459/Beacon/Dutchess-County/New-York/Beacon-council-explores-loosening-ADU-rules-to-spur-housing-while-keeping-owner-occupancy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108459-251fe0ef95684aec8664d11ebda33d68/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205142&Signature=VL5rYogf4Blyd18skogFBJKvHaNkEOP6K~~lVEPOPB075bgCJqLjQDDcE8g72Ks5vWpXygtnfT6Hly3VuVLU~4t5VtsOG6GVdeJUei-973XGuw3e9xVQYSfHJiKAixwSRwqOVNzloXWJuO~4hgx3D6Ckm~0z-BemFzr4V9dGuUX~wnfV2X8-bxCR7k0fUBqt9JwiB9ZmhI~zT3TWOH~UdkNu3r3H5N9cAr6d4kqbg-ux1iiFrqkRnWa0LtTidnwfZfStVLaar7AM5ZEmFNuEnv3xOBImxC4DjVUKw-i21h0-cqhec81Q3wDYbhqCiUQb2iiY9Cmeh3Bw9L2uWB~YgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Beacon 'City Council members spent the bulk of a workshop reviewing possible changes to the city's accessory apartment regulations intended to make ADUs easier and less costly to create while preserving neighborhood character.

City planner Natalie Quinn led council members through a decision tree memo and cited the code's stated purpose: \"It is the purpose and intent of allowing accessory apartments on all existing single family properties...to provide the opportunity and encouragement for the development of small rental housing units designed to meet the special housing needs of single persons, couples and other small households, the young, the elderly person, the elderly, persons of low and moderate income, and relatives of families presently living in Beacon,\" Quinn read aloud from the code during the discussion.

The memo, and an attached note from former building inspector Bruce Flower, prompted questions about multiple elements of the ADU rules: which zoning districts should permit ADUs; whether one of the two units on a lot must be owner-occupied; minimum and maximum unit sizes; percentage limits tying ADU size to the primary dwelling; parking requirements; setback and coverage limits; and whether more permit types should be processed by the building inspector rather than requiring planning board site-plan review.

Why this matters: Council members said they want to reduce obstacles that deter homeowners from building ADUs while avoiding unintended consequences such as conversion of single-family properties into full multi-family rentals or excessive development on small lots.

Key points from the discussion
- Zones: Staff and several council members favored permitting ADUs on any lot where the primary use is a detached single-family dwelling, including single-family structures located in the Linkage (L) and Fishkill Creek (FCD) districts, rather than limiting ADUs only to traditional single-family residential districts.
- Owner-occupancy: Several members argued for keeping the current requirement that the owner occupy either the primary or accessory unit, citing the ordinance's original intent to help homeowners and to limit absentee-owner conversions. Others said they were open to revisiting that rule later or creating a discretionary pathway (special permit) for non-owner-occupied ADUs.
- Size and coverage: The council discussed removing the local 200-square-foot minimum (leaving state building code minimums in place) and reconsidering the 1,000-square-foot maximum and any formula that limits an ADU to a percentage of the primary dwelling. One proposal was to allow larger ADUs or departures to proceed to site-plan review so the planning board could exercise discretion for large or unusual proposals.
- Parking: Councilmembers generally supported removing an automatic requirement for an additional on-site parking stall for ADUs while retaining the planning board's ability to require parking for larger units or when site conditions warrant it. Several members said the building inspector could handle waivers if the code established clear, objective trigger points for when planning review is required.
- Approval pathway: The council leaned toward allowing more ADU types (for example, conversions wholly within the existing primary dwelling or conversions of existing accessory buildings that meet objective standards) to be processed administratively by the building inspector rather than through planning board site-plan review. Detached new accessory structures and projects that trigger nonconformity or neighbor impacts would still go to the planning board.
- Fees and incentives: The council discussed fee and escrow amounts flagged in the building inspector's memo (a $750 planning application fee and a $3,000 escrow for planning review), and the larger professional costs (estimated by staff at roughly $5,000'$10,000 for design/site work) that commonly deter applicants. Members suggested pursuing fee reductions or model plan sets tied to the state's Plus One program (NY Homes and Community Renewal) or to regional nonprofits to lower upfront costs.

Clarifying details cited in the workshop
- Bruce Flower's memo: the building department identified four ADUs approved since 2022 in city records (Bruce's time frame), but staff said there may have been other inquiries that did not reach formal application.
- Current code references: the assistant referenced the city's accessory apartment section (noted in the discussion as '23241') and the New York State Building Code as the baseline for occupancy and minimum unit size; councilmembers suggested removing a redundant 200-square-foot minimum and deferring to state rules.
- Cost figures: planning board application fee $750; escrow $3,000; typical design/site fees $5,000'$10,000; LOSAP and other separate programs are budgeted separately.

Next steps and staff direction
Councilmembers asked staff to draft a local law reflecting the preferences discussed (permit ADUs on detached single-family lots across more districts; retain owner-occupancy for now but consider a limited discretionary pathway; remove the 200-square-foot local minimum and reconsider the 1,000-square-foot cap and percentage size limit; allow more administrative approvals by the building inspector with clear trigger points for planning review; and remove the automatic additional parking stall while making parking a planning consideration for larger ADUs). Staff will return with diagrams showing how setbacks affect buildable area, draft language for the proposed local law, and refined recommendations about which ADU typologies require planning-board review. The draft local law will come back to council for another workshop, then, if introduced, be referred to the city and county planning boards and scheduled for a public hearing.

Ending: The council asked staff to prepare diagrams and draft code language for the next workshop so members could review concrete proposals before a formal introduction.

Speakers quoted and paraphrased in this report are identified in the council's public transcript; direct quotations are attributed to the speaker who spoke them.","City council members reviewed a range of changes to Beacon's accessory apartment (ADU) rules, including where ADUs may be allowed, owner-occupancy, size limits, parking and the approval process; staff were directed to draft a local law for further review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council introduced building-inspector appointment; candidate introduced and vote set for next meeting

Council reviews Length-of-Service award summary; staff to certify volunteer credits

Council agrees on narrow rezoning step for 1 East Main; broader zoning review deferred

Beacon council explores loosening ADU rules to spur housing while keeping owner-occupancy